Automobile door



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J. LEDWINKA AUTOMOBILE DOOR Filed Oct. 20, 1921 s Sheets-Shem 1 Fri 1 INVENTOR.

v JOSEPH L owz/wm. am y ATTORNEY.

March 20, 1928.

J. LEDWINKA AUTOMOBILE noon Filed Opt. 20. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I NV EN T OR.

Q ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 20, 19280 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH LEDWINKA, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD G.

BUDD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- PORATION OI PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMOBILE boon.

Application filed October 20, 1921. Serial No. 508,848.

My inventionrelates to improvements in automobile doors, and, more particularly, automobile doors constructed entirely of metal.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an automobile door, for use with closed cars, which is constructed entirely of sheet-metal and the parts of which are standardized, so that they may be manufac- Another ob ect of my invention is to pro-' vide an all-metal door for closed cars which may be subjected, without injury, to a temperature high enough to bake an enamel thereon.

Another object of my invention is to provide an alLmetal door'for closed cars, made up of a metal frame, including channels in which the window glass may run, and a sheet-metal outer panel applied and rigidly secured to said frame.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a door embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the same door in rear elevation.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view through the door, taken on theline 33 of Figs. '1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a. transverse, sectional view through the door, taken on the line 44 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional view through the lower part of the door, taken on the line 55 of Figs. 1,2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail, sectional view through the edge of the door at one of the hinges, taken on the line 66 of Figs. 1 and'2.

Fig. 7 .is a detail, sectional view through the upper edge of the door, taken on the line 7-7 of Figs'l and 2.

Fig. 8 1s a transverse, sectional view through the upper portion of the door, taken on the line 8-8 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 9 is a detail, sectional view through that portion of the door at the bottom of the window opening, taken on the line 99 of Figs. 1 and 2, and

Fi 10 is a detail, sectional view throu h the ower-ed e of the door, taken on the line 10-10 0 Figs. 1 and 2.

In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section linest My invention consists in providing a door frame, including, preferably, ,to bottom and side rails, all rigidly connecte together,

and a sheet-metal outer panel applied to and rigidly secured to said frame. The various parts going to make up this frame may be made of sheet-metal members pressed to the desired form and I find it ver efiicient to make these members channel-s aped in cross section. Doors for closed automobiles are usually provided with a window opening in the upper part of the door, which may be closed by a movable window glass or pane. The lower part of the door is usually provided with a well, or pocket, into which this glass may be dropped, when not in use, and suitable channels are provided for guiding the edges of the glass in its movement to and from the raised position. In accordance with my invention, I find it very desirable to make these channels for guiding the window-glass a part of the side rails of the frame. These channels might be formed integrally with the side rails but I have found that, from a manufacturing stand-point, it is better to make the channels separate and to weld them to the siderail. The sheet metal panel forming the outer surface of the door may he slipped over the frame, make up the latter have been assembled, and the edges of the outer panel may be flanged over and secured to flanges provided on this after the parts going to frame. A window opening is provided in the upper part of this outer panel and the panel may be reintorcedby suitable beads and unturned flanges at the edgesof the windew opening.

In the drawings, I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention, which, at the present time, I believe is to be preferred.

the structure illustrated in the drawings, the sheet-metal outer anel is indicated at 10. The frame is ma e u of the bottom, top and side rails, all rigidl y and;integrally securedtogether. As shown in Figs. 3 and '10-, the bottom' rail, 11, is substantially channel-shaped in cross section. The outer side, 12, of this channel-shaped rail, has a.

, laterally-extending flange, 13, and the inner and shorter side, 14:, has a laterally-extending flange, 15. The side'rails, 16, are also channel-shaped in" cross section and the outer side, 17, of eachside rail is provided with' 'an outwardly-extending. flange, 18. The side-rail, 16, at the hinge side of the door, has an outer side, 17, which is practically straight, as shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 8, but the outer side, 17, at the o posite'edge of the door, has a stopshoul or, 21, formed therein, as shown at iii the left-hand side of Fig. 8. The inner and shorter side, 19, of each side rail, 16, is

the top rail, 22, may be welded to the upper ends of the sides, 19, of the side rails. Window guides, 25, are secured to the side rails at each side of the door frame and each guide, 25, is channel-shaped in cross section and has one side, 26, applied to and welded to the upper portionof flange, 20, of the side rail, 16. The opposite side of the channel-sl'iaped windowuide, 25, has a laterally-extending fian e, 2%. These windew-guides, 25, extend do. the top edge of the door nearly to the bottom thereof and are straight throughout their length. How-v ever, the frame is not perfectly straight but is curved longitudinally to conform to the longitudinal curvature of the door which.

in turn, must conform to the curvature of the side oi? the body. Therefore, while the upper portions of the window-guides, 25, are secured the upper portions of the flanges, 2d, the lower portions of the window guides-diverge from these flanges, as shownin and the lower ends of the 1 are spaced from the flanges,

window-gulf,

20, by the channel-she ed spacinv members, 28, which may be wel ed to the ilanges, 20, and the lower ends of the channels, 25. The comparatively wide flange, 27, on the window-channel, 25, does not extend below the lower edge of the window opening formed in the door panel and, below the lower edge of such opening, the channel has merely a small reinforcing flange, 29, which terminates a short distance above the lower end of the channel. Sheet metal supporting members, 30, each provided with the end walls, 31 and 32, and the side walls, 33, forming an upwardlydacing box, are welded to the side rails of the frame at the lower ends of the window channels. These members, 30, carry rubber buffers, 34, which are positioned at the bottoms of the windowchannel and which form resilient supports for the lower edge of the glass, 40, when it is lowered into the well in the door.

At the points where the door hinges are to be applied, I may provide an auxiliary reinforcing channel, 35, which lies inside of the channel-shaped side rail, 16, and is secured thereto and to the window channel, 25. A hinge member, 36, extends. through the door panel, 10, into said channel, 35, and is secured thereto by the screws, 37, said hinge member having a pin, 38, pivoted thereto, which in is adapted to be secured to the body at t 1e edge of the door opening. The sheet metal panel, 10, forming the outer surface of the door, is provided with a window-opening, 39, in its upper portion. This window-opening is adapted to be closed by the pane, 40, when it is raised. In Figs.

3 and 6, the window-pane, 40, is shown in liLS' lowered position. The sheet metal panel, 10, is strengthened, adjacent the lower edge of the window-opening, by the transverse head, 41, and the inturned flange, 42. The portions of the panel adjacent the sides of the window-opening are headed, as shown at 43, and provided with the inturned flanges, 44. The portion of the panel above the window opening is headed, at 45, and provided with an inturned flange, 46, at the upper edge of the window opening. The upper edge portion of the panel is flanged inwardly, at 47, and thence downwardly, at 48, forming substantially a box structure at the upper edge of the door.

An angle member, 49, is applied and welded to the inturned flange, 42, of the panel, 10, at the lower edge of the window opening and the flange, 50, of this angle member, is inclined at slightly less than a right angle to the body portion thereof so as to carry it away from the glass. At the upper edge of the window opening an angle member, 51, is applied and rigidly secured to the inturned flange, 46, of the panel.

The door frame is assembled by welding the bottom rail to the lower ends of the side rails, in the manner described, and the top rail, 22, to the upper ends of the side rails. The sides, 26, of the window channels, 25, are applied and welded to the upper portions of the flanges, 20, of the side rails. The spacing members, 28, are interposed between the lower ends of the flanges, 20, and the channels, 25, and welded thereto. The glass supports, 30, are welded to the side rails and the window channels, 25. This forms a complete door frame unit and the door panel, 10, is applied to this frame unit with the inturned flanges, 44, at the sides of the window opening, 39, fitting inside of the flanges, 27, on the upperportions of the channel, 25. The flanges, 14 and 27, are

i welded together, the flanges, 52, at the sides of the door panel, are clinched over the laterally-extending flanges, 18, of the side rails, and the flange, 53, at the lower edge of the door panel, is clinched over the flange, 13, of the bottom rail. In this manner, the panel is rigidly secured to the door frame so as to complete the door. The ends of the angle members, 49 and 51, may be welded to the flanges, 27, if desired, after the assembly has been completed.

It will be observed that the top rail, 22, of the door frame, is spaced from the box structure at the upper edge of the door panel, by the width of the channel, 25. After the door has been assembled, the glass may be inserted by dropping it through this space, the edges of the glass being guided by the channels, 25. I have not shown the mechanism for raising and lowering the window glass or for supporting it in adjusted position, as this forms no part of my present invention. When it is desired to. have the window in the door open, the window glass, 40, is lowered into the well formed in the lower part of-the door, and the side edges of theglass are positioned in the lower portions of the channels, 25, with the lower edge resting on the rubber blocks, 34. The flanges, 27, and the angle members, a9 and 51, serve as finishing strips for'the window opening and give it a neat and sightly ap pearance. The flanges, 15, on the bottom rail and the flanges, 20, on the side rail, not

only afford convenient surfaces for connecting together the side and bottom rails, and the side rails and window channels, but they also provide seats in which may be secured wooden strips (not shown) for use in attaching the upholstery and supporting the glass shifting mechanism. These wooden stripsdo, not constitute a part of the door proper and may be added after the door has been completed and enameled.

This door construction is remarkably strong because of the strong frame formed 'by the channel-shaped rails. The various parts may be assembled and secured together very readily and at low cost and the finished door weighs considerably less than a door of the corresponding size of composite construction. Furthermore, since all wood has been eliminated from the door, it may be subjected to a temperature high enough to bake an enamel finish on it without iniury. It is to be observed that it is not necessary to make any weld in the outer surface of the door panel. This is particularly important as it results in a better finishing-of the door. All the parts going to make up this door may be sheet metal stampings which may be made and assembled in large quantities with absolute uniformity. This'permits this door construction to be manufactured at a low cost. Furthermore, the operations necessary for assembling the parts of the door are simple and easily and quickly performed.

I am aware that the door constr m cn metallic frame having top and side memhers, said side members being provided with lateral flanges, and a sheetnnetal panel, having a window opening in its upper portion, and having its upper edge bent to form an angle, said panel being applied to said frame and having its side edges bent over said flanges, the angle portion at'the upper edge of said panel being spaced from the top member of the frame.

2. A door for automobiles comprising a metallic frame including side members each having a lateral flange on'its inner side, a pair of window-guiding channels secured to said flanges and forming continuations of said inner sides, and a sheet-metal panel, having a window opening in its upper portion, applied and rigidly secured to said frame.

3. A door for automobiles comprising ametallic frame including side meml'iers, each having a lateral flange on its inner side, a pair of window-guiding channelshaving their upper portions secured to said flanges and their lower'portions spaced from but rigidly connected thereto, and a sheet metal panel, having a window open ing in its upper portion, applied and rigidly secured to said frame.

4. A door for automobiles comprising a metallic frame including side members, a

- pair of window-guiding channels rigidly sepanel provided with a windowppening in its upper portion and inturned flanges at the sides of said opening, saidpanel being aprigidly secured to the bottom flange at said window opening, one flange of said angle bar being deflected outwardly, toward the outer surface of the door.

6. A door for automobiles comprising a metallic frame including longitudinallycurved, angle-shaped side members, each having a lateral flange on its inner side, a

pair of longitudinally-straight, windowguiding channels rigidly secured to the flanges of said side members, and a sheet metal panel, having a window-opening in its upper portion, applied and rigidly secured to said frame.

7. A door for automobiles comprising a metallic frame including angle-shaped side members, each having a lateral flange at its inner side, a pair of window-guiding channels rigidly secured to said flanges and each provided with a lateral flange, and a sheetmetal panel applied andrigidly secured to said frame and havinga window-opening in its upper portion and inturned flanges at the sides of said opening rigidly secured to the flanges of said window-guiding channels.

8. A .door for automobiles comprising a metallic frame including side members, each having a lateral flange on its inner side, a pair of window-guiding channels rigidly secured to said flanges and each having a lateral flange, a pair of window-glass rests secured in the lower ends of said channels, and a sheet metal panel applied and rigidly secured to said frame and provided with a window-opening in its upper portion and inturned flanges at the sides of said opening rigidly secured to the flanges of said window-guiding channels.

9. A door for automobiles comprising a metallic frame, a sheet metal panel having a window opening therein and having marginal portions rigidly secured to said frame, and window guiding channels secured to said frame, said panel, channels and frame being rigidly secured together to form hollow column structures at the sides of said window 0 ening.

10. A oor for automobiles comprising a metallic frame having a top member and a sheet metal panel having a window opening therein and having marginal portions secured to said frame, the upper portion of said panel being formed into a channel disposed above the window opening and spaced from the top member of the frame.

11. A door for vehicle bodies comprising a hinge rail of channel section, a channelsection reinforcing member positioned within the channel of the rail, and a hinge member secured to the reinforcing member and rail.

12. A top rail structure for doors for closed vehicle bodies comprising metallic angle members presenting toward each other and spaced apart to permit the passage of a window panel between them, the angles presenting upwardly and inwardly toward the central plane of the door.

13. A top rail structure for doors for closed vehicle bodies comprising metallic channel members presenting toward each other and spaced apart to permit the passage of a window panel between them, and a lateral flange extending from a side of one of said channels.

14. A door for closed vehicle bodies havin a window opening in its upper portion and a vertically slidable window glass for closing said opening and having a sheet metal side rail structure comprising a member having a web portion arranged substantially in the plane of the jamb face of the door and flanged at its outer edge to form a door overlap and an outer panel member secured along one edge to said overlap and extended inwardly at the side of the window opening and constituting with said member a glass run support.

15. A door for closed vehicle bodies comprising a side rail structure including a transversely extending web portion arranged substantially in the plane of the jamb face of the door, an overlap flange at the outer edge of said web portion, and an oppositely directed flange at the inner edge of said web portion, said last-namedfiange being reinforced and extended by a glass run.

16. A door for closed vehicle bodies having a window opening in its upper portion and comprising a rail structure at the side of said window opening including a transversely extending web portion arranged substantially in the plane of the jamb face of the door, a lateral flange at the outer edge of said web forming a door overlap, and a reversely bent portion at the inner edge of the web forming a finish for the inside of the door.

17. A door for closed vehicle bodies havmg awindow opening in its upper portion and comprising a metallic side frame member, a window guiding member rigidly associated therewith and provided with a flange, and a sheet metal panel connected at one edge to said frame member and flanged inwardly at the side of the window opening and connected to the window guiding memher through said flange.

18. A door for closed vehicle bodies havmg a window opening in its upper portion and a slidable window closing said opening,

comprising an outer panel flanged inwardly at the bottom of the window opening substantially to the plane of movement of the slidable window and provided with a downward extension, the main body of which is outwardly deflected from said plane.

19. A door rail for closed vehicle doors having a sliding window .panel comprising a main sheet metal stamping havin a transversely extending portion arrange substantially in the plane of the jamb face of the door and having a lateral overlap flan e atits outer edge, and sheet metal means orming the outside facing of the rail and having a shoulder forming a side of the channel for guiding the sliding window, said means being secured along one edge to the door overlap'flange of the main stamping and along 1ts opposite edge to the transversely extending portion of the main stamping.

20. A closed hollow rail structure for doors of closed vehicle bodies arranged at a side of the window opening therein, comprising a main metallic member having a transverse portion arranged substantially in the plane of the jamb face of the door and an outer lateral flange forming a door overlap, and pressed metal means secured along one edge to said flange and extended inwardly at the side of the window opening and secured along its opposite edge to the main member inwardly of said flange, said means being formed between its outer and inner edges with a. shoulder forming a side of a glass run channel.

21. A door for closed vehicle bodies having a window opening in its upper portion and a vertically slidable window glass for closing said opening and having a sheet metal door rail structure comprising a member having a web portion arranged substantially in the jamb plane of the door and flanged at its outer edge to form a door overlap and laterally at its inner edge, an outer panel secured along one edge to said overlap and extended inwardly at the side of the window opening, and a glass run channel disposed between said lateral inner flange of said member and said inwardly extending portion of the panel;

22. A door for closed vehicle bodies having a window opening in its upper portion and a vertically slidable window glass for closing said opening and having a sheet metal door rail structure comprising a member having a web portion arranged substantially in plane of the jamb face of the door and provided with a lateral extension at its inner edge, the edge of said extension being extended inwardly toward the plane of the window glass, and an outer panel secured to the outer edge of said member and extended laterally and inwardly toward the plane of the window glass to form moulding for the outside of the door at the edge of the window opening, the edge of the window glass being guided between said laterally extended portions of the member and panel.

23. A door comprising a sheet metal panel having a window opening therein, sheet metal edge frame members provided with outwardly directed marginal flanges, the margin of said panel being bent over said flanges to secure it in place, and the margin of the metal of said panel defining said win dow opening being bent inwardly toward the plane of the window and provided with extensions bent in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the door to form the side walls of a glass run channel.

24. A door comprising a unitary sheet panel provided with a window opening,

, sheet metal edge frame members provided with outwardly directed marginal flanges, the margin of said panel being bent over said flanges to secure it in place, andthe margin of the metal of said panel defining said window opening being extended inwardly of the door and in their extended portions, bent away from said opening and then transversely of the door to form the side wall and bottom of a glass run channel.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH LEDWINKA. 

